athletics finds moments to shine

Kitchen manager and chef Sulaiman “Freddie” Rashad often has to be resourceful in his meal making

for two years. He spent eight months in a sober living facility before he got the job as the Mission’s kitchen manager and moved on property.

In the beginning he was assigned to be the evening cook. He took his role seriously and decided to enroll in culinary courses at Santa Barbara City College, where he took an introduction to professional cooking course as well as courses on baking, salad making, and pantry essentials.

Rashad has come to realize that cooking is more than fulfilling a basic need; it’s a way to connect with people.

“When I’m training my cooks I try to encourage them to cook from the heart. We also share ideas of what spices to add, there’s a lot of taste testing going on,” he said. “Then sometimes we have a moment when we talk recovery and advice is given or taken. We have had conversations that really hit home and get emotional – in a good way.”

For this year’s Christmas blessing, Rashad said he was grateful and humbled by his work at the Rescue Mission. When Rashad isn’t preparing meals in the Mission’s kitchen over the holidays he will be cooking at home with his nine-year-old son, Kaden. “Whenever I make dinner I try to get [Kaden] involved,” Rashad said. “We make salads, mac and cheese, and baked chicken. We combine vegetables and chicken together to make our own soup recipe using what is available in our cupboard and fridge. I try to get him involved in any cooking I do at home.”

EL ENCANTO AND MIRAMAR ELEVATE THE CARRYOUT EXPERIENCE

Bring a taste of Belmond El Encanto home with you. The iconic hideaway in the Santa Barbara Hills offers a new takeout menu available for curbside pick-up from 11 am to 10 pm daily. Roasted butternut squash soup ($18) served with cornbread croutons, a Belgium

Rosewood Miramar has unveiled Osteria Caruso’s, featuring a robust selection of chef’s signature Pinsa Romana, an evolved take on the traditional pizza ($15 to $18) endive salad ($19) featuring Point Reyes blue cheese, maple duck breast ($52) served with potato gnocchi, Bloomsdale spinach and raspberry gastrique; sweet corn cavatelli pasta ($28) sprinkled with cotija cheese, lime, padrón peppers, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and cilantro and a chocolate ganache ($14) with whipped vanilla mascarpone cream are just a few menu highlights. Each carryout order comes with a signature goodie bag of holiday cookies and chocolate bark.

Rosewood Miramar has unveiled Osteria Caruso’s as well as re-introduced its Miramar-ToGo services and Miramar Food Truck. Osteria Caruso’s features executive chef Massimo Falsini’s favorite recipes from his grandmother’s cookbook and from his time growing up in Italy showcase California’s finest flavors and ingredients. Dishes range from grilled gulf shrimp and risotto to rigatoni ragu (both $22 per plate) and a robust selection of chef’s signature Pinsa Romana, an evolved take on the traditional pizza ($15 to $18). Add seasonal cocktails such as The Monk’s Negroni ($28) or the Merry Old Fashioned ($28) to the mix for a jolly good meal.

Miramar’s lunch truck offers a Cali Cobb Salad ($24), Crispy Fish Tacos ($18), Hank’s Double Diamond Burger ($28), and Dungeness Crab Fritters ($20), as well as inspired craft cocktails, beer, and wine by the bottle.

Lunch options from Rosewood Miramar Beach’s food truck are available daily from 11 am to 5 pm, walk-up only. Dinner options from Osteria Caruso’s are available Monday to Sunday from 4 pm to 8 pm by calling 805-881-2424.

One seasonal highlight is the Christmas Baskets To-Go, with aperitifs, charcuterie and cheese, salads and seasonal favorites such as herb-crusted rack of lamb and lasagna Bolognese. Dessert includes a butterscotch panna cotta.

To place an order at Belmond El Encanto, call (805) 845-5800. Upon arrival at the front drive, a Belmond team member will meet customers at their vehicles to safely deliver the meals.

The Miramar to-go offer is available on December 25 only; the baskets start at $165 and can be ordered by calling (805) 881-2424 or emailing Miramar.togo@rosewoodhotels.com.